A Communist to the rescue, March 1st

SIR - The election of Demetris Christofias as president of Cyprus (“A Communist to the rescue”, March 1st) provides a new opportunity for the resumption of substantive negotiations on the reunification of the divided island. President Christofias has a long history of dialogue and co-operation with Turkish Cypriots rooted in his belief that the island can be a common and peaceful homeland for all Cypriots.

However, Britain, as a guarantor power of the independence and territorial integrity of the island, and Cyprus’s other partners in Europe, must understand that prospects for a solution ultimately depend on Turkey's willingness to remove its army of occupation from the north of the island and to allow the two communities to negotiate freely a comprehensive solution that puts the interests of the island first.

Cyprus can become a centre of progress and hope in the eastern Mediterranean provided Turkey and, in particular, its military give up their anachronistic and arrogant ambitions for a permanent presence on the island.

Peter DroussiotisPresidentNational Federation of Cypriots in the UK London